A hair salon owner is now facing £27,000 in fines for repeatedly opening in breach of Covid-19 lockdown rules.
Sinead Quinn was working at Quinn Blakey Hairdressers in Oakenshaw, Bradford, on Saturday when Kirklees Council officers issued a £4,000 fine.
The council found the salon open again on Monday and Tuesday and issued two further £10,000 fines. It had £1,000 and £2,000 fines for previous breaches.
Ms Quinn said on Instagram she did not consent to or accept the fines.
The salon owner posted videos on the social networking site which show her talking to council officials and police, saying she had not broken any laws.
On the video, she is heard saying: “I don’t consent to any fines, so it will just be returned to sender.”
She had also displayed a poster on the salon door which refers to Magna Carta, and says the shop is “under the jurisdiction of common law”.
Current rules in England say non-essential shops, including hairdressers, must remain closed.
A council spokesman confirmed the fines, saying it had found the business to be “open and trading”.
The first was on 9 November, when a prohibition notice to close was served and £1,000 fine issued, and the second on 12 November, when a £2,000 fine was imposed.
The council said in a statement: “We completely understand how tough it has been, and continues to be, for local businesses throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We will do all we can to support them through what has been a devastating period, but it is absolutely crucial for people’s safety that we all follow the latest Covid-19 rules and guidance.”
The council said it was now “in the process of exploring alternative action”.
West Yorkshire Police said it was a matter for the council.
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